21 Cute Doors and Windows in Penang, Malaysia

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With its mix of cultures, rich heritage and beautiful architecture, Penang is a fascinating destination. Here’s a look at this interesting combination through the cute doors and windows of Penang.

Chinese shophouse with green door and two green windows with two columns

Penang has to be one of my favourite destinations in South East Asia and one that needs to be included in every Malaysia itinerary, and I believe that this tropical island is totally underrated and deserves more recognition.

Located off the west coast of Malaysia, at the crossroads of Eastern and Western trade routes, the island of Penang is a melting pot of cultures with Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influence.

This mix of cultures has resulted in the most unique heritage, food and architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the city of George Town.

Traditional temples, homes, hotels and shophouses mingle with modern buildings, and you can feel like you’re in India one moment, cross the road and you feel like you have travelled to China.

In this post, I am taking a stroll through the streets of George Town as an alternative Penang city tour, and celebrating the quirkiness and diversity of this multiculturalism and how it is reflected on the local architecture.

Penang Chinese Shophouses

Chinese shophouse with yellow door and two yellow windows — Beautiful colours and tilework

Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two green windows — I love these green windows

Chinese shophouse with red door and two red windows — Peranakan home with a ji-ho (plaque) with the family name above the door

Three baby, pink ornate window shutters on a fuschia pink shophouse with 2 girls walking past — Families lived above a shop, hence the name shophouse

Chinese shophouse with pink wooden door — Sweet pink door with lovely carvings

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Chinese shophouse with green door and two green windows with scooter parked outside

Chinese shophouse with wooden door with grates and two white windows and two pink lanterns

Blue Chinese shophouse with brown door and two brown windows and two pink lanterns — I think this is my favourite!

Decayed blue Chinese shophouse with black door and two red windows — Or maybe this one... I love them all!

Blue Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two wooden windows — So many shades of blue

Chinese shophouse with blue and white striped door and two blue and white windows and two red lanterns — This one has to be the cutest with the dolls on the door

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Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two wooden windows and two red lanterns — Peranakans were the early Chinese immigrants to the Malay Peninsula

Facade with yellow door and a blue arch in the distance — Beautiful tiles and colours

Chinese shophouse with red wooden door and two red windows — A Peranakan home with its own front garden

Penang Temples

But it’s not just the cute little shophouses of George Town that show the island's multiculturalism. This diversity means that there are places of worship that serve the different faiths that harmoniously live in the island.

Chinese temple door with green railings and Chinese figures on the door — Doors of a Chinese Temple with painted protective deities

Hindu deity on a blue arched window from a Hindu temple — A window to the Hindu Temple in Penang Hill

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Penang Street Art

Penang is also well known for its street art. The last few years have seen a resurgence that was kicked off in 2012 by the municipal council, who commissioned Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic to bring a new lease of life to the streets of George Town.

This art plays with objects and architectural features, so here are couple more doors and windows that have been enhanced by street artists.